Winter Storm Moving Though Area Prompts Concern For Messy Morning Commute
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A week after New York's first big snowstorm of the season, another winter storm is sweeping over the area.
A winter storm warning is in effect through 6 p.m. Monday for New York City, northern New Jersey, northern Nassau County, northwest Suffolk County and southeastern coastal Connecticut. A winter storm watch was issued for southern Nassau and eastern and southwest Suffolk.
CBS2 Meteorologist Lonnie Quinn said New York City and most of Long Island can expect to see about 2 to 4 inches of snow while the northern suburbs and northwest New Jersey could see 4 to 8 inches and the Lower Hudson Valley could be hit with 8 to 10 inches. Areas south of the city may see up to 2 inches of snow, Quinn said.
The big factor in this storm is the ice and freezing rain that is expected to follow the bulk of the snow.
Residents can expect the heaviest snowfall between midnight and 4 a.m. before the sleet, ice and rain moves in and remains through about 11 a.m., causing dangerous conditions for the morning commute.
The storm system will stick around as mostly rain through the afternoon before more snow showers return late Monday afternoon into the early evening, Quinn said.
More: Check The Forecast | Cold Weather Safety Tips
"This is going to be the setup for us tomorrow: South of the city, we'll see a lot of rain. North of the city, a whole lot of snow. In between, a wintry mess," CBS2 Meteorologist Vanessa Murdock said Sunday morning.
New York City's Sanitation Department issued a snow alert that started at 5 p.m. Sunday, meaning crews, salt spreaders and plows were being readied for any snow that may fall in the city.
Mayor De Blasio Urges Caution Ahead Of Winter Storm
In a news conference, Mayor Bill de Blasio advised New Yorkers to be careful if driving home from Super Bowl parties Sunday night and on their way to work Monday morning. He encouraged people to stay off the roads and use mass transit if possible.
"Everyone knows that we are once again facing tough winter weather," he said.
As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported, de Blasio said the city is prepared to deal with snow and possibly ice accumulation, but after this past week's would-be blizzard that fizzled out, he stressed "This situation could change a lot between now and when we wake up tomorrow morning; could change for the better, could change for the worse. We have to be ready for any eventuality."
De Blasio said he anticipates that New York City schools will open Monday, but a final decision has not yet been made.
"This is traditionally within the manageable level of snow," he added.
Mayor De Blasio Urges Caution Ahead Of Winter Storm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo also urged New Yorkers to be prepared and cautious.
"With another winter storm expected to impact communities across the State, I am urging all New Yorkers to exercise caution when traveling," Cuomo said in a statement. "State agencies are ready and prepared to respond to worsening weather conditions, but I encourage all New Yorkers to plan ahead for delays and remain safe throughout the storm."
Unfortunately for officials, last week's miss on where the big snow totals would land has many New York City residents skeptical about this next storm, CBS2's Dick Brennan reported.
"After the last one you really can't trust the new one. So if it comes it comes, if not, just get on with it," said Angelo Sabblah, of the Upper East Side.
But the city is gearing up nonetheless, readying 500 salt spreaders and 1,600 snow plows.
"(Are you ready to go?) We're always ready to go," said sanitation worker Andre Kuhnle.
Kuhnle is one of the 2,400 sanitation employees working 12-hour shifts until the roads are cleared.
"(What do you say to people who are going to be on the roads when you're working?) Try to keep clear of the plow," he said.
There are no street closures for this storm, but New York City has suspended alternate-side parking rules for Monday to facilitate snow removal.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's buses and subways are expected to run as scheduled, 1010 WINS' Roger Stern reported.
The MTA said all of its systems will run on a regular weekday schedule for Monday, that includes the Long Island Railroad, Metro-North Railroad, NYC Transit Bus, NYC Subway and Staten Island Railway.
The MTA did, however, warn customers of possible delays due to the storm.
CBS2's Brennan asked Mayor de Blasio if he'd spoken to Gov. Cuomo about last week when the governor and the MTA decided to shut down the subways but apparently did not consult the mayor.
"We have made the point clearly to the state that we think we can do better next time and we think we have to learn from the situation what different options we may have in that kind of situation. I think it has been a productive conversation," de Blasio said.
NJ TRANSIT will be cross-honoring tickets throughout the system.
The Port Authority said it is monitoring the storm and prepared to deploy extra personnel to all of its facilities, which include airports, bridges, tunnels and PATH.
As the storm moves into the Tri-State Area, roads are starting to get slick, including the Palisades Parkway In Fort Lee, New Jersey, CBS2's Valerie Castro reported from Mobile2.
Over in Morris County, crews said they were preparing for several inches of snow, most of which will hit the ground just in time for the morning commute.
"Right now we're gearing up for an issue in the morning," said Jeffrey Paul, director of the Morris County Office of Emergency Management. "Our road crews have already been deployed for the evening and they'll be out overnight. We have over 100 trucks, over 10,000 tons of salt."
The county is expecting up to 11 inches of snow in some areas, freezing rain and ice is another major concern.
"The great thing is that we know there's going to be an issue, so I tell people to plan for the worst," said Paul. "Make other arraignments, if you don't have to get on the road, if you don't have to go to work, if you can do other things."
Meanwhile, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy said the state's emergency operations center will open at 4 a.m. on Monday.
Non-essential state employees were told to report to work at 10 a.m. in an effort to keep motorists off the roads during the worst of the storm.
"I am asking everyone to take it slow for tomorrow's commutes and if possible to avoid travel during the height of the storm Monday morning," the governor said.
Malloy also urged private sector companies to follow suit and allow employees a delayed start to their work day so that snow removal crews could clear roads quickly.
"We are also taking steps to make sure that we can take care of those in need of shelter. I urge anyone in need of shelter to call 211 and continue to encourage local communities to consider opening warming centers or other facilities to help people in need," Malloy added.
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